MISSOULA, Mont. (March 18) – For the second straight day at the Grizzly Classic, Seattle University softball beat Maine and fell at Montana. SU scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to rally past Maine, 6-5, and then dropped a 12-4 contest to the Grizzlies.

“The fight we had in the Maine game is what this is program is all about,” said Coach Geoff Hirai. “The second game, we came back again, but we ran into a hot-hitting team. We’ll get another chance tomorrow and fight again.”

Against Maine, the Redhawks (8-18) entered the bottom of the seventh inning down, 5-2. Sara Dominguez reached on an error to lead off the rally. Alyson Matriotti followed with a single. With one out, Paige Bouska hit a single through the left side, loading the bases for Kaylee Ree. Ree lined a single to center field, pushing SU closer to a comeback. The Maine centerfielder misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll to the wall and bringing in two more runs, as Bouska scored to tie the game at 5. With Ree at second, Madison Cathcart worked the count and eventually hit a single down the left field line, plating Ree and winning the game.

Seattle U starter Lindsay Davis worked around trouble for the first four innings of the contest, keeping the Black Bears off the scoreboard. Alyssa Reuble came on in relief for the fifth, giving up two singles before coming back with three straight outs, including a pair of strikeouts.

Maine answered with a home run and then a grand slam to take a 5-2 margin in the sixth. After a scoreless half of the sixth, Reuble earned two strikeouts and a groundout to get the Redhawks to the plate for the dramatic seventh inning.

Bouska went 2-4 with a run and an RBI. Cathcart added a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Davis threw four innings, giving up three hits and no runs.

Against Montana, Seattle U fell behind, 2-0, after an inning. In the third frame, the Redhawks battled back. Singles by Bolasky and Bouska got things started. Ree drew a walk and Cathcart drove in a run with a single to left. With the bases still loaded, Maddy Kristjanson was hit by a pitch, scoring the tying run. After the Grizzlies picked up two outs, Morris came through with a two-run single to left field, making it a 4-2 SU lead.

The hosts came back with two runs to even the score in the third and then regained their advantage with a four-run fourth. Silvan and Bolasky both singled in the sixth, but they went no further, and in the bottom of the frame, Montana tacked on four runs to close out the game.

Bolasky and Bouska each had two hits and a run scored. Morris went 2-3 with two RBIs.

Seattle U plays Montana for a fifth and final time this season on Sunday. First pitch is slated for 11:45 a.m. Pacific. The teams have split four meetings to this point.